ABOUT US

YMCA Shared Services, Inc. is an independent 501(c)(3), non-profit organization. Our mission is to increase the day to day operational efficiency of our member YMCAs by reducing overhead cost to operate through vendor relationships & strategic sourcing, cost savings procedures, concentration of support functions, and innovative collaborations.

Members say...

YMCA of Metro North

Kathleen Walsh - COO

"YSS saved us time in quoting vendors and also they saved us time when comparing pricing."

We Succeed When Members Do!

WHO WE ARE

YMCA Shared Services, Inc. is a collaboration of YMCAs working together to lower costs and save money. We are an independent 501(c)(3), tax exempt charity organization, dedicated solely to supporting YMCAs. YMCA Shared Services, Inc. staff members are your colleagues, employed by the Y, members of AYP, etc.

Our mission is to increase the day to day operational efficiency of our member YMCAs by reducing overhead cost to operate through vendor relationships & strategic sourcing, cost savings procedures, concentration of support functions, and innovative collaborations.

In addition to the common YMCA Mission to strengthen communities through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all, our member YMCAs are brought together by the common goal to reduce costs where possible! By coming together through YMCA Shared Services, Inc., our member YMCAs are able to take advantage of cost saving opportunities regardless of association size or budget. All member YMCAs are able to benefit from working together, while still operating and remaining independent YMCA Associations. YMCA Shared Services, Inc. believes YMCAs should always be paying the lowest price! Our partners and vendors should always be held to the same expectations and standards that we have for our Y leaders and staff!

OUR CORPORATE STRUCTURE

YMCA Shared Services, Inc. Board of Directors is comprised of the Presidents & CEOs of each member YMCA Associations. The Board of Directors governs YMCA Shared Services, Inc. the same way any other YMCAs Board of Directors does. All member YMCA Associations have an equal part in YMCA Shared Services, Inc. regardless of their size or revenue.

Member YMCAs appoint someone from their senior leadership staff to serve as the primary point of contact and communication between YMCA Shared Service, Inc. and the other association staff. Together these staff members form the YMCA Shared Services, Inc. Operational Team. The Operational Team meets quarterly with YMCA Shared Services, Inc. staff for updated information & to provide directives, feedback, and guidance as to what areas are relevant and important to their associations.

WHAT WE DO

YMCA Shared Services, Inc. concentrates on 3 main areas in order to provide the best customer service & support to member YMCAs while carrying out our mission. The 3 areas are: Development & Maintenance of Vendor Relationships, Implementation & Refinement of Procurement Practices, and Identification & Research of Collective Group Purchases & Initiatives.

* Identify and vet new vendors & service providers that are specific to the needs of our member YMCAs.
* Negotiate preferred pricing, purchasing programs, service agreements, etc. that benefit our member YMCAs.
* Ensuring that all of our vendors are regularly providing the expected level of service and support to our member YMCAs.

Implementation & Refinement of Procurement Practices

* Work with member YMCAs to plan & execute procurement practices that are specific to the needs of their association, to maximize cost savings and ensure best practices.
* Evaluate & refine procurement practices in place to improve efficiency and help integrate modern technologies.
* Provide assistance & consultation in the facilitation of procurement practices and project management for member YMCAs.

Identification & Research of Collective Group Purchases & Initiatives

* Identify & research potential areas of benefit and opportunity for member YMCAs to utilize as a group, while enhancing day-to-day operations, member relations, etc.
* Consult, strategize & help to coordinate the implementation of programs and initiatives that member YMCAs choose to adopt, such as utility contract purchasing, leasing procedures, etc.
* Network & facilitate mutually beneficial partnerships and sharing of resources between different member YMCAs based on functionality and best practices when desired.

WHY WE DO IT

We do it because of our member YMCAs! YMCA Shared Services, Inc. believes that all YMCAs should have the same access to advantages that larger, “for profit” businesses have. By coming together and working towards the common goal of reducing costs, we have ensured that all member YMCAs regardless of the size, location, or demographic of any single member YMCA Association or Branch, are receiving the same pricing and benefits. Our value as a total group is what is most important. By saving money and time spent on basic operational costs and procedures, member YMCAs can dedicate these additional resources to furthering the YMCA Mission.

HOW WE MEASURE SUCCESS

We measure success by our member YMCAs savings and satisfaction! YMCA Shared Services, Inc. considers ourselves to be successful when our member YMCAs are successful. We are proud to say that all of the associations that have joined YMCA Shared Services, Inc. in the last 5 years have saved 3 times their yearly dues within their first quarter of membership. We intend to keep this trend going!

Participating YMCA Shared Services, Inc. members saved an average of 40% on trash removal.

Meet Our Team

Paul Slovin

Executive Director / Director of Procurement

Paul joined YMCA Shared Services, Inc. in 2010. During Paul's tenure, the organization has grown from 9 corporate member YMCAs consisting of 33 individuals branches in Massachusetts to 27 corporate member YMCAs consisting of 154 individual branches in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New Jersey and California. Paul's experience is in procurement, inventory management, business development, merchandising, planning, sales and general operations.

Prior to joining YMCA Shared Services, Inc. Paul opportunistically purchased and merchandised off price, surplus, salvage and other under-performing assets for a 14 store chain with $100 million dollars in annual sales, as well as spending 25 years growing and directing all business operations for a fabric and home decor company that specialized in fabrics, window treatments and other products for retail customers, interior designers, corporate and commercial clients.

Paul is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst with a BA in Economics an has completed the CPIM program at Merrimack College. He currently resides in Andover, Massachusetts with his wife and two sons. In addition to being passionate about saving money for YMCA Shared Services, Inc. member YMCAs, Paul is passionate about photography, technology, sports and fitness.

Anthony Longo, MBA

Procurement Specialist

Anthony joined YMCA Shared Services, Inc. in August of 2018. Prior to joining YMCA Shared Services, Inc. he spent time in various roles ranging from Sports Specialist at the YMCA, to Intramurals Coordinator for Endicott College, to most recently IT Procurement Specialist. Anthony is a graduate of Colby-Sawyer College with a BA in Sport Management, as well as a graduate of the Endicott College Van Loan School, earning his MBA. He currently resides in Danvers, Massachusetts. When not helping YMCA Shared Services members save money, Anthony can be found on the golf course, playing men’s league soccer, or boating in the North Shore.